Thanks so much for your input! There are so many different brands out there with so many functions that it is hard to narrow down, but agree that making a list of "must haves" is a good place to begin. We are near Carroll and the closest dealers are a couple of hours away, which makes it kind of difficult. Thanks again!

Hi from Dubuque Iowa, love my husqvarna viking designer 11. It was made strickly for quilting. The sapphire 875 has taken it's place and is a little pricey but it has a bigger throat and now that I'm retired I do a lot more sewing

Hello and welcome from Minnesota!
Go to a sewing store and "test drive" some sewing machines. (just like you would when shopping for a car)
Bernina, Brother, Viking, Elna, BabyLock, etc, they are all good!!!
Have fun and let us know what you get!